To increase funding for Winnipeg Urban Forestry

Advocates welcome news that the city's preliminary budget will include more money for trees.

The city's multi-year budget will increase funding for urban forestry by 45 percent by 2027.

The budget allocates about $56 million in six-year capital investment for trees, and about $18 million in annual operating costs in 2024.

“I think the budget was pretty good,” said Jay Maillet, geography instructor. “There have been many difficult years for trees. Both citizens and politicians began to notice this

The city plans to increase its allocation to operating expenses to about $30 million in 2027.

“Over time, we will create landscaping resources to meet our tree planting goal,” said Jeff Browati, Finance Committee Chair.

Christian Cassidy of Winnipeg Trees said while the new funding is welcome, the city is catching up when it comes to adding and protecting trees.

“For the last 20, 30, 40 years, thousands of trees have been cut down in the city every year. Only in 2010, 2020, 3-5 thousand trees will grow per year and barely replace half of them,” said Cassidy.

According to Maillet, in addition to the known beneficial effects of trees on the environment, they also have a positive effect on our health.

“I see more trees and even diversifying the types of trees we have,” Maillet said.

“Study shows that patients in hospitals who need pain management are more likely to need pain relievers, even if they see a green space.”

Cassidy said while it's good to see the city set up to protect and plant more trees, he wants to see more effort put into private land.

This includes possible legislation to ensure trees are protected or at least replanted during construction.

“Every year this tree shortage just builds up, and it's in the tens of thousands of trees,” Maillet said. “I think a lot of people who never thought about trees before are suddenly thinking about trees now because they wake up one day and see a tractor take a dozen trees down.”